Where most newspaper and traditional media companies have struggled, few of the players who have adapted themselves to the Web have found a lucrative business model. One such company is New York-based Vice Media which is cashing in on online, and specifically, video streaming content to become one of the leading players in the space.

Vice’s Offerings
Vice Media was founded by Suroosh Alvi and Shane Smith and began life in Montreal as a free magazine that was best known for their provocative attitude. Today, the company is best known for their ability to integrate modern day punk culture with traditional journalism in an online network that streams original content, 24 x 7. The content on the network includes both domestic and international news on current affairs as well as pop and underground culture, music, and technology. Their content is viewable not only on multiple technology platforms, but also on social networks.

Besides Web video, Vice still publishes their print magazine, runs a music label, and produces a non-fiction TV series for HBO. They also act as an in-house ad agency for their clients and pursue branding opportunities besides traditional advertising models.

Vice is venture funded with investments of $80 million from private undisclosed investors and Rupert Murdoch’s Fox, Inc. Their last round of funding was held in August last year when they raised $70 million from Fox at a valuation of $1.4 billion. Vice estimates their valuation is now in “tens of billions of dollars” and is considering an IPO soon.